Preserving Literary Heritage - Literally by the Book

Manchester's Portico Library ought to be an inspiration to save The Three Cups as a HOTEL.

Something else we did on our holidays this month was visit the Portico Library in Manchester. In case you haven't heard of it here is a link to click on: http://www.theportico.org.uk/ and a photograph below.

The Portico Library is an independent subscription library opened in 1806. The building which houses it on Mosley Street is an architectural delight and a tribute to the members that they have been able to keep the library open into the 21st century.

It would appear that the members have been able to maintain awareness of the cultural importance of the building and preserve it for its original purposes so that the public can go inside and use it. Not only that but they offer refreshments in the form of tea and cakes! (A sore point as readers of this blog will know. It was the lack of such hospitality when I went to see The Three Cups in 2004 which helped launch my campaign.) Note that soup and sandwiches are available at lunch time for hungry readers.

I would also draw attention to the list of patrons on The Portico Library website. Celebrity names must be a great help to any campaigning. And the members are good at coming up with new ideas such as "Adopt a Book" as a way to fund restoration of their stock. Now that is taking restoration literally.

Perhaps The Lyme Regis Society could launch a sponsor a blue plaque campaign. Here are some draft designs I prepared earlier:

Others could be for Longfellow, Belloc, Charlie Chaplin etc. And possibly different coloured plaques for connections with Thomas Hollis, Jane Austen, John Fowles, Jeremy Irons and Meryl Streep.

Yes, it would be a shame to lose all this history if The Three Cups is demolished as the current owners are planning to do.